With new developments in AI technology, we’re all beginning to understand that not everything we see in a photograph comes from the camera. But commercial photographers have been using digital aids to create distinct atmospheres in their images for decades. Annabelle Breakey is an expert at the art of compositing, and was given the opportunity to highlight this craft in a new shoot for Peet’s. Peet’s is a trusted partner for Breakey, who shot multiple looks for their summer café and grocery campaigns.

The lifestyle portion of the job was shot in a residential backyard in Berkeley, California. This aspect of the campaign presents Peet’s new Bright Collection,

Shot in a residential backyard in Berkeley, California, the campaign photos present Peet’s new Bright Collection, featuring two blends now available in grocery stores: Off the Grid and Sun Catcher. “It’s really fun to look at the reality of the shoot versus the final result,” says Breakey. The golden-hued photos were captured in an Airstream trailer and perfectly imbue the envisioned off-the-grid lifestyle. No one would guess that the shoot happened in a downpour with a wild turkey running down the sidewalk.

“We altered the exterior landscaping, added coffee to the pot, replaced the windows, added lens flare, and did a lot of beautiful retouching,” she says. “This is a big element of commercial photography, and I love to show people how things are made. The behind-the-scenes aspects can be as interesting as the final images themselves.”

When doing this kind of compositing, Breakey focuses on capturing the lighting in the camera. “This shoot in particular was all about the lighting,” she says. “The clients wanted a warm, 70s-inspired interior, so we had to make the light wrap around the doors, through the window, and onto the countertop where it casts those shadows.” They used yellow gels during the shoot, and later, color-correcting tools helped strengthen the wood tones.

“This shoot was tight and seamless,” Breakey shares. “I had an excellent crew and we were able to work together efficiently in a fun and unusual location.” It’s almost as though they’d had the perfect cup of coffee.